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CNG frowns over high prices of goods amidst naira appreciation
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), on Saturday, expresses its deep concern over the unjustified prices of goods and services in the market despite the recent crash of the U.S dollar against the naira.
The CNG views this as an exploitation of the Nigerians and a blatant disregard for the economic realities of the country by unpatriotic business entities.
CNG, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, said subjecting Nigerians to high prices of commodities amid the present strength of the naira was not only uncalled for but unpatriotic.
The CNG observed that naira has recorded a significant appreciation against the US dollar, with the exchange rate currently between N900 – N1,000 to a dollar, down from N1,900 to a dollar in recent months. Regrettably, businesses have maintained their fleecing of Nigerians by refusing to adjust the prices to reflect the current market reality despite the recent appreciable gain by naira.
The CNG strongly condemns this unpatriotic act by businesses, which is causing untold hardship to Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable and low-income earners; describing it as totally unacceptable.
CNG calls on the Federal Government to devise means to ensure that businesses comply with the current exchange rate and adjust their prices accordingly for the benefit of Nigerians.
Charanchi said: “The CNG wishes to commend the efforts of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other relevant agencies for their efforts to stabilize the naira. The CNG notes that the recent measures taken by the NSA and CBN to strengthen the naira have been successful, leading to a significant reduction in the dollar exchange rate.
“The CNG, therefore, calls for sustainability of the measures to ensure stability of the naira that would culminate in stronger naira of below N500 to a dollar in the nearest future.
“Furthermore, the CNG reiterates its call on President Bola Tinubu to wholly support Office of the NSA and the CBN to decisively deal with any economic saboteurs who are try to derail the successes recorded for their selfish end to the detriment of Nigerians.
“In the same vein, the CNG warmly welcomes Dangote’s diesel price adjustment that slashed about 60% to reflect current rebound value of naira, describing it as a commendable gesture that is worthy of emulation by other businesses in Nigeria.
“Thus, the CNG appeals to the government to consider selling crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and any other interested local refiner in naira as doing so would make fuel more affordable to Nigerians thereby breaking away from dollar-dependent value.
“The CNG believes that selling crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in naira will not only help reduce price of fuel in the country but will also be immensely beneficial to the Nigeria economy as a practical solution that will have a positive impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians.”
CNG also regrets that some state governors are allegedly diverting public funds to engage in forex business, which has led to the strengthening of the US dollar against the naira with attendant negative consequences on the masses.
The group added, “The CNG reminds such governors that public funds allocated to them to provide for critical needs of their people such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure are a trust that must be accounted for before a man or before the Almighty God.
“At this juncture, the CNG commends Nigeria for prosecuting Binance officials to face justice for tax evasion and other crimes to the Nigerian economy while calling for collaboration with the Interpol in ensuring that the official who escaped from Nigeria is repatriated to face justice in the country.
“It is soothing to note that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) recently noted that it would likely reimburse excess funds pilgrims who have made payments when dollar prices were high due to appreciation of naira.”
CNG applauds a few businesses that have adjusted their prices downward to go in tandem with the current value of naira that is steadily appreciating.
The Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups, Professor Kailani Muhammad, has called on former military ruler General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) to reveal the full truth about the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, which was won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday night, Professor Muhammad stated that Babangida’s recent claims regarding the annulment of the election were an attempt to shift responsibility onto the late General Sani Abacha.
According to him, Babangida’s actions plunged Nigeria into its current economic and political difficulties.
“Babangida’s deliberate misdeeds and misconceptions are what pushed Nigeria into its present comatose state.
He singlehandedly devalued the Naira through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), despite warnings from economic experts,” Muhammad said.
He further alleged that Babangida squandered Nigeria’s wealth, using state funds to secure the loyalty of military officers and traditional rulers.
Professor Muhammad also criticised Babangida’s recent remarks on Nigeria’s civil war, where he suggested that the Yoruba played a key role in fuelling the conflict, rather than the Igbo.
“This has raised tensions across the country. While the Igbo have been alleged to be seeking compensation and an apology from the Federal Government, Babangida’s comments have only stirred unnecessary controversy,” he said.
He warned that elder statesmen must be careful with their public statements, as they could incite division within the country.
Shifting focus to governance, Muhammad criticised Nigerian states for their over dependence on federal allocations
He urged state governors to explore agriculture and mineral resources to drive economic growth.
“State governors need to think outside the box and focus on productivity and creativity for sustainable development,” he advised.
Speaking on local government autonomy, Muhammad expressed disappointment that the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial independence for local councils had not been fully implemented.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that his administration upholds local government financial autonomy as a key reform initiative.
“The excuses from state governors about bureaucracy are not encouraging.
The President must stand firm in his commitment to local government financial independence,” he concluded.
By Nasiru Jagaba
Nasir El-Rufai’s interview with Arise TV was indeed a calculated move, showcasing his political strategy. He made some bold claims, including that President Bola Tinubu was behind his ministerial rejection, not the Senate. El-Rufai also accused National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani of orchestrating a smear campaign against him.
Nasir El-Rufai’s blame on Nuhu Ribado for his current struggles seems to overlook his own history of betraying former bosses and allies. El-Rufai has betrayed notable figures like Atiku Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as other business partners.
Given his track record, it’s surprising that El-Rufai didn’t anticipate potential repercussions. His tendency to betray those he works with has raised concerns about his loyalty and trustworthiness. It’s only logical that leaders would exercise caution when dealing with someone who has consistently demonstrated a pattern of betrayal.
El-Rufai’s past actions have likely created a sense of distrust among his former associates, making it challenging for him to find support or allies in his current endeavors. Rather than blaming others, El-Rufai might need to reflect on his own actions and consider how they’ve contributed to his present situation. Nasir El-Rufai’s move to point fingers at Nuhu Ribado can be seen as a strategic attempt to deflect attention from his own controversies.
Moreover, El-Rufai’s involvement in several pending allegations, including the Chibok girls’ kidnapping and accusations related to security and financial misappropriation, may indeed be a reason for him to preempt his likely arrest by shifting the focus to Nuhu Ribado.
On lopsided appointment he raised, El-Rufai’s failure to speak out against Buhari’s northern-dominated appointments, while now condemning Tinubu’s similar actions, is hypocritical. During Buhari’s tenure, key positions were held by northerners, with 81 out of 100 political office holders being from the North. These included:
<Federal Character Commission:
Chairman and Secretary were from the North
<Security and Law Enforcement:
National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff and Air Force, Director of DSS, Immigration Boss, Inspector General of Police, and Controller General of Customs
<Judiciary:
Attorney General of the Federation and Chief Justice.
Similarly, Nasir El-Rufai’s criticism of President Tinubu’s policies seems insincere, considering his own track record in Kaduna State. His policies were so hash that have destroyed the state’s economy, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. He demolished thriving markets that generated significant revenue for the state and replaced it with a shopping malls that only a select few can afford to patronize. Many families have been left homeless, and numerous individuals have lost their jobs, shelter without receiving entitlements, with some even dying from trauma.
Nasiru El-Rufai’s plans to unseat Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and President Bola Tinibu in the 2027 elections may be more challenging than he anticipates. Despite his reputation as a force in Nigerian politics, El-Rufai’s influence has limitations. El-Rufai’s strategy to exploit ethnic, regional, and religious sentiments may not yield the desired results, as Uba Sani is well-versed in El-Rufai’s tactics.
While El-Rufai played a significant role in toppling the PDP government in 2015, it’s essential to acknowledge that he wasn’t the sole architect of that victory. President Tinibu, who was part of the APC’s campaign, brought significant votes from the Western region, while El-Rufai leveraged former President Buhari’s popularity in the North.
Uba Sani’s experience working alongside El-Rufai has equipped him with the knowledge to counter El-Rufai’s strategies. Additionally, Uba Sani’s ability to connect with people across party lines and religions may prove to be a significant asset in the 2027 elections. Unlike El-Rufai, who is perceived as proud and aloof, Uba Sani has demonstrated humility, he came down from his high horse with willingness to listen to others.
El-rufai may not be aware that the non-Hausa/Fulani populations, who form the majority of the North, have become wary of his treacherous, manipulative, and deceptive tactics. They will no longer be swayed by his ego-driven agenda. They know that if El-rufai was appointed Minister, he would have been busy defending the government of President Tinibu at all costs.
El-rufai should trade with caution because he is not prepared and time is not by his side. The situation bears some resemblance to Adolf Hitler’s catastrophic mistakes during World War II. Blinded by pride, Hitler underestimated his enemies and overextended his military, fighting multiple fronts to feed his ego rather than serve Germany. Initially, Hitler’s confidence was palpable, but by 1945, his voice was shattered, and he faced a dire choice: surrender or suicide. Similarly, El-Rufai’s actions may lead to a comparable downfall. When El-Rufai reaches the point of defeat, it remains to be seen whether he will choose surrender or continue down a path of destruction
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Honourable Ahmad Kalambaina, the lawmaker representing Sokoto’s Wamakko/Kware Federal Constituency at the National Assembly has pledged his commitment to championing the cause of advocating and supporting the zero dose efforts in his constituency.
Kalambaina who gave the assurance when the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Advocacy Team led by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and Hon. Muhammad Usman, paid him an advocacy visit, added that, he is committed to quality health services, welfare and general well-being of his people.
This, according to the Kalambaina, were parts of his cherished political philosophy which he held tenaciously unto right from his days as the chairman of Wamakko local government and till now that he is the Federal lawmaker representing Kware/Wamakko Federal constituency.
The lawmaker further divulged that, aside contributing significantly to peoples oriented projects in his constituency, he has also allocated funds to build PHCs in Wamakko and a laboratory for disease screening and sample collection.
In his commitment, Hon. Kalambaina pledged to connect the ZDLH advocacy team with high-level political actors in Sokoto State to advance policy implementation, ensure sufficient budget allocations, and drive effective resource utilization.
Earlier, the ZDLH advocacy team in their presentation said, they are committed to strengthening immunization efforts in Wamakko, being one among the LGAs with the highest number of Zero Dose children in Sokoto state.
The AHBN team shared updates on the Sokoto Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) and emphasized the need for stronger CSOs engagement, increased immunization funding, timely fund releases, and greater government accountability to improve transparency in immunization financing.